Bronxville Police Issue Coyote Safety Guidelines

With the recent rash of coyote attacks in Rye, Bronxville Police Chief Christopher Satriale sent an eAlert to Village residents this morning, offering guidelines on how to protect against the animals.

According to Satriale, no coyotes have been spotted in Bronxville since an incident on March 18. 

Guidelines from the eAlert sent by Chief Satriale: 

• Fence pet and animal enclosures completely, if possible include a top.

• Keep cats and small dogs indoors. When walking small dogs, always keep them on a leash.

• Coyotes are most active dusk to dawn. Avoid walking pets after dark.

• Bring along pepper spray or a stick in case a coyote gets aggressive. If you see a coyote, wave your arms, shout, spray it with a hose. Be a threat! (Screaming or yelling and waving arms sometimes won't work on coyotes that have lost their fear of humans.)

• Any pet smaller than 45 pounds should never be left outside past 4 p.m.

• Feed pets indoors. Eliminate potential food and water sources such as fallen fruit or vegetables and standing water.

• Store trash in covered, heavy-duty containers.

• Keep yards free of potential hiding places. Remove thick brush and weeds. Enclose the bottoms of porches and decks.

• If you encounter a coyote that behaves aggressively, you have probably gotten too close to its prey or its family. Throw rocks, sticks or other objects. Do not turn away and run.

• Do not feed coyotes. Doing so can make them less afraid of humans and potentially more dangerous.

• Do not leave small children unattended outdoors for any period of time.

Note: These guidelines were written by the Chief and distributed through the Village's eAlert system.